Electrical switch



May 8, 17928. 1,688,828 A. G. STEINMAYER ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Jan. 19, 1'924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 8, 1928.l

1,668,828 A. G. STEINMAYER ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Jan. 19, 1 924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 J' 4 Q4 i /QO 1I //A 34* 134 9LA g y f 3 36 y r il Patented May `8, 1928.

UNITED; STATES- PATENT- OFFICE.`

ALWIN G. STEINMAYER, OF CHICAGO, ILLIivOTs, AssIGNOn To ELECTRICAL ENGI- NEERS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A cORrORATION OF ILLI- NOIS.

"ELECTRICAL SWITCH.V

Application led January 19, 1924. Serial No. 687,357.

This invent-ion relates to in'iprovc-ments in electrical switches and more particularly to improvements in switches of the disconnecting' type, although theinrention is not limited to a particular type or class of switches.

ln switches for opening and closing'V electical circuits. particularly those for openinnA and closing electrical circuits carrying` large quantities of current, the matter of insuring complete and `proper contact whenever the switch is closed has presented `a` difficult practical problem. Improper contact when the switch 1s closed results in the employment of only part of the material" in conducting the current, and this causes oi-erheating Or failure of the Circuit. Where considerable voltages are carried, the length of the switch arm must bemade'relatively great for striking distance. Hence, the matter of securing' Complete and proper closing in spite of disaligmnent between the separable switch contact-s becomes of impor-v tance.

The cio-pendingr application of Alfred F. C. 'Lotz (ca-se 3), Serial No. 683.572 filed Der'. 31, 1923 is directed to an improved adjustable terminal mounting. in connection with which the present invention is particularly adapted for embodiment, although it fis to be understood that the present invention is not limited to combination with that particular contact device. yIt may be employed With any suit-able contact mechanism and in lvarious other types of switches and other apparat-us.

In the above referred to application, provision is made for adjusting `the separable :1an-'itch contacts to line them up with respect to each other so that proper closingr and uniform cont-act over the entire contactingr `surface will be secured. Such a provision is highly desirable, but it more remedial `than preventative. It provides for accurately aligningr the contacts, but unless and unltil such alignment is made `slight variation'i or dis-alignment may cause very objectionable results. y i

'lhe primaryobject of my present invention is the provision of means which will `ruido the separable Contacts into closed position and into uniform and complete Contact ing contact` `associated with whethersaid contacts are properly aligned or whether they are disaligzned `with respect to each other. This prevents improper con-` tact and failure of the switch to close before and until. the contacts are -adjusted into proper alignment Where provision for suchh adjustment is made. f Another object is the provision to switches.' insulator l`f*`|.ttin`fs, and other supports off' different types `and sizes, and which will permit adjustment of thc blade mechanism with respect to the contact means f I Ofan iin-- `proved auxihary or arcing contact-and the with which it cooperates and of the arcing contact with respect to an auxiliary or arc-` said cont-'act means.

Another object is the provision of. an im# proved movable switch f member including i an` improved 'blade mechanism and insulat'- y in e' means-r for supporting said blade mechanism and formingr an insulating barrieroperating: mechanism of the switch.

Another object is to minimize the num# ber of parts required and to provide a strueture which may be manufactured and assembetween the live blade mechanism and the bled at a. minimum Cost and which may be:

conveniently taken apart for repairs and replacement. and which, when assembled,` Will be compact and will provide secure and com plete elertrica-l connection` between the current carrying parts.

Accordingr` to my invention l employ ai pair of floating blades free to be guided into lirm7 luniform and complete Contact Withthe cooperating contact meansgand to prevcntgv vimproper Contact Or failure of the switch to close before and until the contacts-arev edjusted into proper alignment Whereprovision for such adjustment made, I provide l improved guide means for guidiugthejblade mechanism into closed position. `The blade mechanism preferably carries and y moves with the guide means as distinguished from y i relatively 1 stationary guides withV respect to `which the blademechanism is movable.-

Such guides have been arranged at Opposite sides of the relatively stationary switch con` tacts, and where great disaligmnent occurs it is possible for them to hinder rather than assist proper closing ot' the switch.

I provide a HeXible `ioating guide or itunnel shaped member which moves ahead of thc switch blade. The guide is flexible in two directions although flexibility in only one direction or in more than two directions is contemplated. 'lhe guide need not exactly register the terminal receiving space betweenV the blades with the terminal contact of the switch. Guiding of said space. just partially over the nose or end ot the terminal contact is usually sufficient, the ioating act-ion'of the blades permitting complete and proper closing ot the switch when Y closing is started by the guide.

To the end of simplifying and improving the construction and minimizingr the ninnber ot parts, the guide means is preferably carried by the means providedfor tensioning or drawing the blades together and its mounting is preferably such that it spaces the blades to properly receive the cooperating contact therebetween. The guide is mounted along the edges of the blade mech- `anism and in substantially the plane of the thickness or the transverse dimension of the contact when the switch is closed and it has a flared mouth projecting laterally from the blade mechanism and defining an opening in alignment with the contact receiving space between the blade members. The guide means is movable over the Contact ahead of the blade members.

The auxiliary-.or arcing contact mounting is universal in its applieaton to switches and supports of different types and sizes, and it permits adjustment ot' the areing horn or contacts by motion of translation in different planes. The mounting ot' the blade mechanism is likewise universal in its application to switches and supports of dit'- erent types and sizes, and it permits adjustment of the blade mechanism with respect to the cooperating contact means by motion of translation in diiferent planes. The mounting of the arcing horn, blade mechanism and contact means for connecting the same to the desired circuit is exceedingly compact, and provides lirm and complete electrical connection between the eurrent carrying parts. A protecting hood shields the blade mechanism and the guide means therefor and also the cooperating contactV means when theswitch is closed, and an improved terminal contact is provided for cooperation with the blade mechanism.

To acqua-int those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and practicing the present invention, I shall now describe in connection with the accompanying drawings, a specific embodiment of the same.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a switch embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is anenlargcd `fragmentary side ele- 7ation ot the movable blade and cooperating contact mechanism therefor;

i Fig. 3 is a detailed sect-ion on line 343 o'f Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detailed section on line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detailed section on line 5 5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a detailed section on line 6--6 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings. 5 designates the relatively stationary terminal contact ot the switch and 6 the movable contact or blade means coopcrablc with Contact 5 to close the switch and selfiarable from contact 5 to open the switch. i

Terminal contact comprises a strip,r in'cferably ot rolled copper, having one-h; lf refiexed or doubled back on the other halt" and its tree ends turned out at substantially right angles to provide mounting lugs 7 and 8. Terminal V5 is preferably adjustably mounted upon the outcr'end of a supporting insulator 1() by means ot an adjustable mounting 1l, such as that more fully disclosed in the co-pending application of Alfred F. C; Lotz. case 3, Ser. No. 683,572, filed Dec. 31, 1923, although it may be mounted in any other suitable or preferred manner. Terminal 5 is secured upon mounting 11 by bolts 1.2. The clip 5 is simple and inexpensive and its doubled or reflexe-d formation imparts a desirable yieldability and outward spreading tendency of the opposite sides into firm electricalcontact with the cooperable blade or contact mem bers.

The terminal clip 5 is prete 'ably ot wrought metal which is highly desiral'ile `lcr securing the desired strength, the structure of' the clip shown lending itself peculiarly to `formation of the clip oi." wrought metal. r x .l he doubled 'toi-mation provides a laminated clip, the outer ends o t which are integral or connected. This provides a desirable laminated clip in which excellent conducting oi the current is secured and separating or traying ot the outer ends olf the clip is prevented.

Adjustal'ile n'iounting l1 is mounted upon an adapter 1? which is in turn mounted upon an insulator fitting 14 on the outerend ot' insulator 10. Insulator 1() is supported obliquely at its opposite end by a base fitting 15 mounted upon one end of the switch sup-V porting basc'or slab 16. i

Art the opposite end of base 1.6 is i'nounted an insulator fitting 18 fai-lying an insulator 19 substantially normal to base 16. T he movable contact or blade means 6 is carried upon the outer end oi a rockingr or tilting insulator 20 `mounted upon a rock shaft 21.

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Shaft 21 is journaled in a bearing 22 mounted upon base 16 betweeninsulators 10 rod 26 is connected through a clevis 27 with an operating handleQS, so that by grasping handle Q8 and pulling it in a` counterclockwise direction, shaft 21 and insulator 2U will be rocked in a countereloekwise direction to separateblade member 6 from'contact 5 andby swinging handle 28 in the opposite direction shaft 21 and insulator 2() will `be rocked in the opposite direction to close the conw tacts. A stop bracket 30 mounted on base 16 limits the tilting or rocking movement of insulator in a counterclockwise direction.

The switch is shown arranged in horizontal position in Fig. llwith operating shaft or rod extending vertically, but it is to be understood that the switch and operating rod may be mounted and arranged in any other desired manner.

On the outer end of insulator 20 is an insulator fitting 31, and mounted upon said fit-ting 3l is an` adapter fitting 32 having an outer mounting llange33. A pair of blade members 34 having mounting bases 35 turned out at right angles are mounted upon the outer ilange 33 of adapter 32 and project out normal to said flange and from the upper end ot' insulator 20 in the direction ot its length.

Blade members 34 are of suitable conduct- 4ing material and their outwardly projecting portions are spaced to terminal or tongue 5 between them and make electrical Contact with the opposite sides of said tongue when the switch is closed. The blade members 34 are forced toward each other by spring washers 36' which spring washers maintain a uniform spring pressure upon blades 34 over substantially their enn` tire areas of Contact with terminal tongue to hold the blades firmly and uniformly against the opposite sides of terminal tongue when'the switch is closed.V Excellent con tactA and employment of all of the, eonductl ing material in carrying current is thusl assured. For clamping spring washers 36 against the opposite sides of blade members 34, I provide a pair of plates 37, between one ol which and the adjacent blade member one spring washer is confined and the other spi'iiigwaslier is confined between the other blade member, and theotlier clamping plate. Each plate 37 has an aligning stud 38 which engages in an axial opening in the spring washer and holds the saine properly in place.

The clamping lplates 37 and thereby the spring washers 36 are clamped in `place by bolts 39, the shanks of which extend through aligned openings in plates 37 and blade members34, clear of the opposite ed es of terminal tongue 5. j Pilates 37 and bots 39 together form a t'ame between which the spring washers 36 force blade members 34-` towards each other.` Blade members 34 are thus securely and uniformly held against the opposite sides of terminal 5 and the spring pressure maintained over substantially the entire contacting area is adjustable by means of bolts 39.l y

The spring washers 36 hold the blade members yieldingly together and the blade members are floating and :tree to adapt them selves readily to the sides of the terminal tongue Disalignment between the blade membersand'terininal 5 may `result in en gagement of one ot' the blade members with the outer end of tongue 5 in closing, or clos-` ing might be otherwise prevented or contact 'when closed may be otherwise impaired by such disalignn'ient. The blades would be iree to adjust themselves to the sides ol' the terminal 5, but disalignn'ient might prevent such adjustment. Slight `play in the rocking insulator or inaccurate construction or as sembly might cause this, for example. To

prevent this and to insure properguidin g of blade members 34 over terminal tongue 5, I provide a guide member 40.

` This guide member 4() has a pair of arms 41 which project between blade members 34 clear of the opposite edges of clip 5 and in substantially the plane oi' said clip. Arms 41 'are apcrtured to permit the shanks ot bolts 39 to extend through them. The guide member is in this manner mounted between y the blade members on the tension bolts therereceive the contactior and the ends of arms 41 by their dis position between the blade members 34 form spacers for limiting the movement of the blade members toward each other when the switch is open. Their thickness is prete 'ably less than the thickness ofterminal tongue 5 so as to not interfere with the proper engagement` of the blade members with the sides ofthe terminal. At the forward ends of arms 41 a` mouth piece 42 which, in the closing movement ot the switch. moves over terminal tongue 5 ahead of blade meinber 34 and guides the Ablade'inemliers properly over the terminal lug. The end of the mouth opening 43 adjacent blade meiiibei 34 is of a width substantially equal to the thickness ot' tongue 5 so that the tongue will be guided into place without appreciable play to interfere with proper closing. From the bladeend th',` side walls of the mouth `opening flare o utwail'dly (Figs. 3 and 5) to pro@ vide a relatively largoopening at the oppo- .Site contact receiving end. so that even with considerable disalignn'ient between tongue 5 and the contact Vreceiving space between 'y blade members 34 the `laiger ond oit the mouth piece will engage over the tongue and the flared sides of the mouth piece will7 in the closing movement of the switch. center the tongue receiving space between blades 34 with tongue 5 and guide the bladesl prol'ierly over the tongue.

ln closing the switch the guide moves ahead ofthe blades. The openings in guide arms '41 arepreferably sufficiently large to provide a clearance, as shown in Fig. 4, be tween said arms and thel shanks ol bolts 39. This permits flexibility or floating of the `guide in a vertical direction as Viewed in Fig. 4 and the floating action along' the shanks of bolts 39 permits flexibility or'floating of the guide in a direction sulistautially normal to said first plane. This permits and assures proper guiding action of the guide over clip 5 ahead of the blade mechanism in the closing of' the switch.

Mounted over blade member 34 and upon the flange 33 of ada ter fitting 32 is an arcing horn clamp comprising an upper clamping member 46 and a lower clamping member 47 having aligned openingsl 53 through which blade members 34 extend. Clamped between the clamping member 47 and t-he mounting flanges of blade members 34 and in firm electri nal Contact with said mounting lflanges is a contact plate 49. Contact' plate 48 has slots 49 extending in from one end and blade members 34 extend up through said slots.V The opposite end of plate48 is turned or flared down and between said plate 4S and a pair of similarly flared plates 50 and in electrical connection with plate 48 the ends of a pair of flat flexible conductors 51 are clamped by bolts 52. v

The terminal tongue 5 and blade members 34 are protected from the action of arcing upon opening the switch by a pair of arcing horns 54 and 55 arranged to separate after separation of blade lnembers 34 from contact 5, so as to dranr any are. as well understood in the art. Arcing horn 54 is carried by and electrically connected with blade members 34. while horn 5.) is carried by and electrically connected with terminal 5. One end of horn 55 isseeured by clamping straps and bolts 5G to pedestal 57 ot the adjustable terminal mounting 11. The opposite end of horn 55 is of triangular formation and lies along one side of horn 54 to eooperate laterally therewith during and after separation of blades 34 ,from Contact 5.

Horn 54 projects out lineally from the end of insulator Q0 andr its inner end is turned substantially normal to the projecting areing end and out at 58, over at 59 and back at 60 (Fig. 6) forming a generally rec.- tangular mounting portion. Horn clamp ing members 46 and 47 have lateral wings .(51 and 62 respectively, provided with sup plomental angle grooves tliu which and between members 46 and 47 the out and back turned portions 5S and 60 of horn 55 are clamped. Common bolts ($5, the shanks of which extend through aligned openings in members 4b and 47 and through aligned opening in contact plate 48. mounting` flanges 35 of blade members a4 and through openings in :ulapter flange 2373, clamp members ttl and 47 together with horn 55 secured therebetween and the horn clamp, contact plate 4S and blade members securely iu place on [lange 33 with contact plate 48 in lirm electrical engagement with blade members 234 and in firm electrical engagement with the horn mounting members and thereby in electrical connection with horn 54. (|amp members 46 and 74, in addition to mounting arcing-horn 55 connect rsaid horn electrically with contact plate and thereby electrically in circuit with blade members 34.

As shown, the openings in clamp members 4G, 47 and in flange 33, contact plate 4S and base flanges are all elongated. VThis permits variation in positioning ofbolts 65 and makes the mounting of the blade members and horn clamps universal in their application to adapters7 fittings and other supports of different styles and sizes. Elongation et said openings also permits a certain degree of adjustment of the blade members and other parts by motion of translation7 which is highly desirable. Bolts' (i5 clamp the parts securely in adjusted position.

Flat flexible conductors 52 extend and are electrically and mechanically connected at their opposite ends between a pair of flared terminal plates 70 mounted upon a clip .support and strain clamp 71 on the outer end of. insulator' 19. Clamp 71 is bolted to an adapter fitting 7 2 which is in turn mounted upon an insulator fitting 73 on the outer end of insulator 19. Line conductor 74 is connected into a terminal sockct`75 bolted upon the projecting end of lower terminal plate 7 t) and said conductor 74 is clamped to and supported by clamp 71 at 76. The other line conductor 78 is clamped to and supported at a distance from its end at 7S) to one of the adjustable mounting members 11 and at its end said conductor 78 is couneeted into a terminal socket S0 bolted upon a terminal plate 81 clamped beneath the heads ofrbolts 12 which secure terminal tongue 5 in place.

Lower clamping member 47 has an upturned boss 82 to the opposite ends of which a pair of toggle links orarms S3 are piroted by a bolt S2. The opposite ends of links 83 are pivotcd at 84 to toggle links 85 which are in turn pivoted at their opposite ends at 86 to clamp 71. Flexible com ductors 51 are supported at spaced points 87 along links 83 and 85. In rocking insulalll masses tor 2O to open and close the switch, toggle links 83 and 85 buckle and open to control the rocking movement of insulator 20 and the slack produced in the flexible portions ol conductors 52 is taken care of bythis action of thetoggle and no undue stress or bend is occasioned at any point in the conductors. j

To protect` the blade members 34 and contact' 5 against snow, sleet, trost accumulations and the like, I provide a protecting hood having substantially, parallel sides 91, an open front 92,7a closed rounded back 93 merging into a closed rounded top Adjacent open front 92, (sides 91 have depending lugs 95 pivoted uponfajpin 96 jour naled at its opposite ends in lugs 97 on clamp i'iieinber 46. A torsion spring 98 coiled about the opposite ends olipins 96 has its opposite ends extending out along the open bot-toin ot.' the hood and turned out at 99 to cooperate with tlielower edges of sides 91. The .intermediate portionotl spring 98 is olfset at 100 and said o'set 100 engages the top of clamp 46 to prevent turning ot' thev spring on pin 96 and tolimit uncoihng of thel intermediate portion o't' the spring. A lug 102 on the interior of back 93 cooperates with the edges of blade members 34 to limit. the `swinging of the hood in the `direction of :its closing movement when the switch is opened. l

As the switch'is opened, hood 9() is swung `by spring 98 into more complete closing position over contact means, 6, the movement of hood 9() insaid direction being limited by engagement of lug 102 with blade members 34. In closing,the switch hood 90` yields to permit proper engagement ot the blades with tongue 5 after thehood has reached 4the limit of its movement with insulator 20. The hood completely covers and protects blade members 34, guide means 40 and contact` 5 when the switch is closed, and when the switch is opened it covers and protects theV blades or movable switch members. Swinging of the hood about pin 96 Vin a clockwise direction, as the switch opens, increases the covering of the movable switch means as the rocking insulator approaches vertical position. i i

From the foregoing it will now be apparent that I have provided for guiding `the blade members into cooperation and uniform Contact with terminal lug 5 in spite of disalignment therebetween. The guide means provided, in conjunction with the Heating action of the blade members assures complete and uniform contact when the switch is Vclosed and assures proper closingV in spite of disalignment and until the separable contacts areadjusted into alignment where such an adjustment is provided. V.Incomplete or entire :failure to close, due to failure to adjust tlie contacts before the closing operaright or tion, is thus prevented. If considerable dis i alignment is noted by the action of the guide in closing, it may bejremo'ved by adjustin the contact into proper alignment, but a justment means for doing this is not essen tial to the. practicing of the present invention.` Relatively greatdisalignment may increase the action of the guide, but it will be taken care of by said guide.

'llheguide is carried by and moves with the movable blade members. Its mounting is in substantially the plane of the contact receiving openingbetweensaid members and common means tensions the blade members and secures the guide in place. The flared mouth of theV guide projects laterally from the blade members and moves over the relatively lstationarycontact 5 ahead of said blade members. `These items are all individually important in that each contributes to the desired end-` While the particular means disclosed for Vsecuring them is considered important, other manners of att-aining these ends and `carrying out said items are contemplated. j

The mounting ot are horn 54 between -members 46 and 47 permits adjustment of the arcing horn by a motion o't' translation to the right or left in Fig. 6. The elongated openings through which bolts (i5 extend permit adjustment ot the arcingihernby a motion of translation in a different plane or up-and-down, as viewed in Fig. 6. The elongated openings through the base of blade members 34 permit adjustment of said blade members by 4a motion of translation to the left, as viewed` `in F ig. 4, and the elongated openings through contact plate 48 permit adjustment of said plate by a motion of translation the saine direction. The elongated openings in flange 33 assist said adjustmentsy and allow for variation in the positioning of bolts 65 versal adaptation of the blade and are horn mountingmembers and contact plateV to f`itj 1 ro tings andsupports of different types and f sizes, as well as permitting variationl in construction and assembly. This arrangement also adapts fitting 32 for receiving mountings of diil'erent types and sizes.

The clamping of horn 54, mounting members 46 and 47, blade member 34 and Contact plate 48 all together and in proper electrical connectionson flange $53 provides an exceedingly compact arrangement, minimizes theV number of parts and simplifies and decreases the cost oi construction and assembly. The

adrantages.oiE the construction of terminal clip o `and `ot the arrangementof hood 90 have already been pointed out.` The mount ing of the separable contacts of the switch ontlie adjacent endsof insulators inclined toward each other, shortens thestriking dis tance and the mounting of the blade membei-son the outer end of insulator 20 shortens the length of said blade members. This minimizes the play and'disalig'nment which will occur in said members with res ect to contact 5. 'It permits the use of oating blades, yet contines the fioating action to the contact making area where it is desired, and the objectionable results of a floating action of the blades down to the point ot mounting or to the point of pivotal action thereof is avoided. At the same time insulator 2() forms an insulating barrier between the blade members and the switch operating mechanism and confines Vthe live parts oi the switch to an exceedingly compact space.

I claim l. In combination, floating blades, tension bolts passing through said blades and guide means carried by said bolts.

2. In a switch, the combination of a pair of floating blades ot guide means mounted between and spacing said blades.

3. In a switch, the combination of a pair of floating switch blades, a guide carried by and projecting laterally from said blades, said guide having a portion lying between the blades and means for mounting said p0rtion between the blades and tensioning said blades.

4f. In a switch, the combination of a pair of floating switch blades, a contact cooperable therewith and a guide carried by the Vblades and mounted equally on opposite sides of the contact receiving portion thereof.

5. In a switch, the combination of a contact, a switch member movable into and out o'f cooperation with 'said contact, and a guide for guiding said switch member into cooperation with said contact, the mounting of said guide being positioned along the edge of the contact when the switch is closed.

(i. In a switch, the combination of a contact, a switch member movable into and out of cooperation with said contact, and a guide for guiding said switch member into cooperation with said contact, vthe mounting ol" said guide being positioned in substantially the plane ol the transverse dimension or thickness of the contact.

7. In combination, a contact member, a switch blade cooperable therewith, said switch blade comprising spaced blade members having their ends turned out at substantially right angles andprovided with elongated apertures, spring means lying outside theV blades tor pressing them upon the contact member and means not thicker than the contact for spacing the blades apart when in open position.

8. In a switch, the combination of a relatively stationary terminal Contact, floating blades movable into and out ot cooperation with said contact and adapted to embrace opposite sides of said contact when the switch is closed, bolt means operating in tension to limit separation of the blades, and a guide for guiding the blades over said terminal contact, said guide having a portion lying between the blades and mounted upon said bolt means.

9. In a switch, the combination of a relatively stationary terminal contact, floating blades movable into and out of cooperation with said contact and adapted to embrace opposite sides of said contact when the switch is closed, bolt means operating in tension to limit separation of the blades, a guide for guiding the blades over said terminal contact, said guide having a portion lying between the blades and mounted upon said bolt means, and a fiared Inouth extending laterally from the blades.

10. In combination, a contact member, a pair of blade members cooperable therewith, means for guiding said blade members into cooperation with the contact member, said `guide means spacing said blade members.

1l. In combination, a fitting having a mounting liange, said liange having elon-l gated openings, a pair of blade members having turned out mounting bases, said bases having elongated openings, a pair of clamping members supporting an auxiliary arr-,ing contact and having elongated mounting openings, and bolt means passing through the elongated openings in said blade members, clamping members and fitting fiange for clamping said members together, and in firm electrical contact.

l2. In combination, a 4fitting having a mounting fiange, said fiangeliaving elongated openings, a pair of blade members having turned out mounting bases, said bases having elongated openings, a pair ot clamping members supporting an auxiliary arcing contact and having elongated mounting openings, and bolt means passing i through the elongated openings in said blade,

members, clamping members and fitting flange for clamping said members together, and in firm electrical contact, a Contact plate clamped in place with said bolt means and a conductor connected to said plate.

In a switch, a relatively stationary terminal contact, a rocking insulator, a pair of floating blades carried by said insulator, means t'or rocking said insulator to move the floating blades into and out of cooperation with said relatively stationary terminal Contact, means for applying pressure to the outside of the blades and means not thicker than the contact for spacing the blades apart when in open position.

141. In a switch, a relatively stationary terminal contact, a rocking insulator, a fitting on one end of said insulator, auxiliary arcing contact supporting means mounted upon said fitting, a pair of spaced blade members having out-turned mounting bases mounted upon said fitting beneath lsaid lll fifi

auxiliaryA arcing contactsupporting means,`

i and a contact plate mounted with the mount` ing bases oi" theblade members upon said fitting with said auxiliary arcing contact supi'iorting means, and means carried by and adapted for guiding the blade members into closed position. i i

lo. ln comliination, a relatively stationary switch terminal, a rocl'rino insulator, a pair off floating blades mounted upon said ma sulator and adapted i'or movement mto and out ot engagement with the relatively-stalionary switch terminal by rocking ot the insulator, umanal tor implying pressure to the outside of the bhides and means not thiclrer than the terminal if'or spacing the blad apart when in open position.

17. In a switclna movable switch member comprising i an insulator,` lspaced floating switch blades ou said insulator, aterminal contr-ict cooper-able with said blades, `means for applyingl ijiressure `to the outside of the blades and meansnot tl'iicher than the contact Jfor spacing the blades apart when in open position, said spacing .means being separate :trom the bladesand the blades being' movable tree ot said spacing means.

18. ln combination`a rock shaft, an insulator mounted on said shaft to rock therewith, a pair of relatively short floating blades on the oppositevend of said insulator, a relatively stationary terminal contact co1 operable `with said blades, means for applying i'nessure to the outside of the blades and means not thicker than the contact for spacing); the blades apart when in open position.

19. In a switch, a. pair of insulators inclined toward each other and one movable relative the other, contact means on one of said insulators, a pair of floating' blades mounted on the adjacent end of the other insulator and movable into and outo't cooperation with said contact means, means for applying pressure to the' outside -of the blades and means not thickerthan the coutact For spacing the blades apart when in open position.

20. ln a switch, a common supporting base, an inclined insulator mounted on said base, contact means on said insulator, a rock shaflt jomnaled on said base, an insulator mounted on said shaft to rock therewith and inclined toward saidfirst insulator when in closed position, a pair of floating switch blades mounted on said rocking insulator adjacent the" Contact means on saidflrst insulator and adapted for movement into and out of cooperation with` said Contact means by the rocking of said `second insulator, means torapplying pressure to the outside. of the blades and means not thicker than the contact for .spacing the blades apart `when in open position.

,21. In a switch, the combination with separable contact means, of means for guiding said contactmeans into cooperation, said `guide means beingfloating in a plurality of directions. l y

22.1111 a switch,` a common supporting base, an inclined Ystationary, insulator mounted on .said base, stationary contact meansl on said insulator, a rock shaft journaled on said base in substantially the plane in which said inclined stationary insulator is mounted on .said base, an insulator mounted on said rock shaft to rock therewith, contact means` on `the rocking insulator said rocking insulator having its outer end inclined toward `the outer end off said stationary insulatorwhen the Contact means thereon is in engagement with the Contact meanson the .stationary insulator, the inclination of said first insulator permitting faster engagement and disengagement between said Contact means on' movement of the rocking insulator and the contact meanson the .stationary and rocking insulators being formed to permit adequ ate opening or separation thereof solely by the rocking movement of one insulator and notwithstanding the inclination o the upper end of the other insulator toward same.

23. In a switch, a common supporting base, a rocking insulator mounted thereon,

au inclined stationary insulator mounted thereon 1n substantially the plane in which said rocking insulator 1s mounted on said base, contact means on each of said insulators y adapted for engagement with each other, said insulators being inclined toward each other when the contacts thereon are in engagement to insure positive engagement of said contaft means and the contact means on the stationary and rocking insulators being formed to permit adequate opening or separation thereof solely by the rocking movement of' one insulator and notwithstanding the inclination of the other insulator toward the same.` i

24;.` In a switch, a fixed member having a basel plate fixed thereto, flexible conducto-r means secured to said base plate by a clamping plate, said clamping plate having a curved guide integral therewith for controllingl the flexing of said conductor means.

25. ln a switch, a fixed member having a base plate fixed theretosaid base plate hav ing an extension integral therewith, a socket having a conductor secured therein bolted to said base plate, said conductor being also secured to theV integral extension of said base plate by suitable bolt means.

26. ln combination, a fitting having a mounting liange, said lange having a lurality of openings, a pair oit blade mem ers having turned-out mounting bases, said bases having a plurality otl openings, a contact plate having a plurality ot openings, and bolt means passing through the openings in said iange, blade members and Contact plate, for clamping said members iirmly together.

2T. ln a switch, a fitting, a pair ot' switch blades, a contact plate, a pair ot flexible conductor members secured to said conta-ct plate, and bolts passing tl'irough the switch blades and through the contact plate for securing said switch blades and contact plate to said l'itting.

2S. In a switch, an insulator, a pedestal mounted thereon, a terminal mounting adjustably secured to said pedestal, a contact terminal on said adjustable terminal mounting and adjustable relative said pedestal, and tlexible conductor means electrically connecting said contact terminal with said pedestal.

29. In combination, floating blades, tension n'ieans for said blades, said tension means including tension bolts, passing through said blades and guide n'ieans independent ot said tension n'ieans and carried by said bolts.

3U. In a switch, the combination ol1 a pair ot lioating blades, tension means tor said blades, a contact cooperable with said blades,

and a guide independent of said tension means, said guide being carried by the blades and mounted equally on opposite sides of the contact receiving portions thereof.

31. In a switch, the combination of a con-` tact, a switch member movable into and out ot cooperation with said contact, tension means for the switch member and a guide independent of said tension means for guiding said switch member into cooperation with said contact, the mounting of .said guide being positioned along the edge of the contact when the switch is closed. i

32. In a switch, a frame, a stationary insulator supported on said frame, a stationary switch contact mounted on said insulator, a bearing supported on said frame, an insulator mounted for rocking motion on said bearing, said insulator having a. cooperating contact adapted to be brought into and out ot engagement with the first contact by rocking oi said insulator in said bearing, a sleet hood covering both of said contacts when they are in engagement, and areing horns mounted on top ot the insulators below said contacts and disposed laterally of the eontacts to clez said sleet hood laterally and in operative alignment with each other.

ln witness whereof, l hereunto subscribe my name this Iilst day of December, 1923.

ALWIN G. STEINMAYER. 

